Domestic
banks were able to consolidate their positions in year 2002
despite declining trend in interest rates and foreign banks,
particularly large ones, were no exception. Smaller foreign
banks are trying to sell out their Pakistan operations to
local groups. While local banks are exploring new areas,
foreign banks are trying to improve their income by
investing in equities. Almost all the banks are investing
heavily in technology to improve the quality of services.
The central bank is also trying to further improve the
regulatory framework.

KSEThe
biggest bourse of the country, Karachi Stock
Exchange, is in the final stage of making
arrangements to facilitate Internet trading
as early as September this year, the
Managing Director of KSE, Moin M. Fudda,
informed journalists at a press briefing
here on April 23. The KSE will also have a
new attractive listing new month, the
subscription of which will be Rs 200
million, he added.

A

AUTO
SECTORAutomobile
sector, growing impressively, is
becoming an attractive area for
foreign investment in Pakistan.
Impressed with market growth, a
Malaysian auto company manufacturing
POTON cars has expressed its
willingness to establish their plant
in Pakistan in collaboration with
local participation.